Acetylene-gas-generating lamp.



' PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

I 0. W. BECK. AOETY'LENE GAS GENERATING, LAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT 21, 1896.

UNITED STATES Patented May as, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WV. BECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ELECTROLITE GAS LAMP COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ACETYLENE-GAS-GENERATING LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,273, dated May 23, 1905.

Application filed September-21, 1896. Serial No. 606,492.

, particular embodiment illustrated herein consisting of a bicycle-lamp.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a generator consisting of two'holders located one above the other and adapted to separately contain the gas-generating elements, one of said holders being movable horizontally, and to provide means whereby the element in the upper holder may be fed to the lower holder, whereby successive portions of the carbid'will be subjected to the action of the liquid; to provide a carbidholder in the form of an endless conveyer having a series of compartments adapted to contain separate charges of carbid and to provide means for moving this carbid-holder horizontally to subject the carbid in the compartments successively to the action of the liquid; to provide a more compact and symmetrical construction in which the space at the rear of the reflector of the headlight, which has heretofore been unoccupied, is utilized to accommodate a liquid-reservoir; to

provide a construction in which the supply of liquid to the carbid is under more perfect control and may beincreased, diminished, or out 01f entirely by simply turning a cock, and to disclose a construction whereby different portions of the carbid may be brought into chemical operation successively, so that the generation of the gas is rendered more uniform and the consumption of carbid and generation of gas may be arrested as soon as the lamp is no longer required for use.

plicity and economy of manufacture are also aimed at.

The invention consists 1n the matters here- Sim-1 inafter described,and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and the same will be readily understood from the following description, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an axial vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the lamp and modification shown in Fig. I.

First referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, A designates as awhole the upper part or headlightof a lamp embodying one form of my invention, and B the generator thereof, which is suspended beneath the headlight and desirably has the general outward form of an ordinary oil font or bowl. The headlight comprises, as herein shown, a

horizontally-arranged outer casing A, desirably made cylindric, and within one end of which, for convenience hereinafter designated the forward end, is secured the forward end of a reflector A of the usual parabolic form', a chimney 0r flue A communicating with the rear part of the reflector and rising vertically through the central upper part of the casing and a closed rear end wall A. The lower side of the casingis suitably apertured at a point vertically beneath the flue to receive the jetnozzle C, the extreme upper end of which is arranged to project within the reflector through an aperture (4 therein.

Within the rear end of the headlight, between the end of the reflector and the outer end wall, is formed or arranged a liquid-receptacle D, conveniently, and as herein shown, by insertingavertical partition or diaphragm d within the cylindric casing at a point adjacent to the rear end of the reflector. Access for filling said receptacle is conveniently afforded through an inlet ti provided in its upper part, which is closed by a screw-cap (Z The lower part of the receptacle is provided with an extension (Z which depends slightly below the lower surface of the headlight-casing, and from this extension is arranged to lead a duct or pipe E, which is connected with awick-tube E, communicating with the upper part of the carbid-receptacle at a point vertically between its side wall and center, the connection being made conveniently by means of a screw-threaded union 0. The passage of water through the duct E is controlled by means of a cock E which is of ordinary construction, and in order to render the flow of liquid more uniform the end of the wick-tube which projects within the carbid-receptacle is made flaring downwardly and adapted to receive a short wick E, which will be wedged therein firmly enough to hold itself in position and to assure a regular flow or seepage of the liquid therethrough.

Referring now to the generator B, the outer casing of the latter is shown in the present instance as of truncated-cone form, having downwardly-flaring sides 7), an integral flat upper end 5', and a fiat removable lower end cap 5 which is internally screw-threaded and arranged to fit over and engage the external screw-threaded end of the side wall 6. The carbid-receptacle proper, F, consists in the present instance of an inner receptacle having the same general form as the outer casing, but made considerably shallower or of less depth, so as to provide spaces 5'' b above and below the receptacle, respectively, and in order that the heat incident to the chemical action of the carbid may not be transmitted to the outer casing said carbid-receptacle is made of sufficiently smaller diameter than the interior of the casing to leave a small annular space I) surrounding the same.

In the particular embodiment now being described different portions of the carbid are adapted to be brought successively beneath the wick, which, as hereinbefore stated, is so located as to discharge at one side of the center of the receptacle, as indicated clearly in Fig. 1. To this end the said carbid-receptacle is divided into a plurality of segmentalsh'aped compartments f by means of radial partitions f, which extend from top to bottom of the receptacle, and is made revoluble upon a vertical axis. In order to provide a suitable bearing, the lower end wall f 2 of said receptacle is provided with a central depending spider or skeleton frame f which is provided at its center with a bearing-pointf, adapted to rest within a slight depression formed centrally in the inner surface of the lower-end-closing cap, thus affording a support which permits the carbid-receptacle to rotate within the casing with a minimum frictional resistance. The carbid-receptacle forms a conveyer having a series of compartments adapted to contain separated masses of carbid and to move said carbid laterally or horizontally to the liquid-supply in order that said charges may be in succession subjected to the action of the liquid.

Means for automatically rotating the carbid-receptacle step by step and directly controlled by the production and consumption of gas generated are constructed and arranged as follows: f designates a bearing-sleeve arranged to extend axially through the carbidreceptacle. Concentrically with the upper end of the bearing-sleeve and secured so as to rest directly upon the upper edges of the radial partitions is mounted a disk or plate and upon this latter is formed or secured an annular series of ratchet-notchesf Upon the outer surface of the lower end of the carbid-receptacle, concentrically with the bearing-sleeve is formed a similar set of ratchetnotches f, spaced at the same distances apart circumferentially as the upper notches. designates an escapement-rod arranged to extend vertically through the bearing-sleeve and provided at its lower end, adjacent to the lower ratchet and also at a point immediately above the upper ratchet, with radially-projecting ratchet-arms 1 1, respectively, which are arranged in such angular relation to each other and at such distance apart vertically as to form escapemcnt-pawls, which serve to release several notches of the upper and lower ratchets alternately as the escapement-rod is reciprocated verticallywithin its bearing. In order to thus reciprocate said rod, the upper end of the generator is provided with cylindric extension B of reduced diameter and forming a cylindric chamber B, open at its lower end to the gas-space above the carbidreceptacle. \Vithin this cylinder is arranged to lit and reciprocate a piston or movable diaphragm G, a dry gas-tight connection being formed between said movable diaphragm and the part containing it. The upper end of the escapement-rod is arranged to extend axially through said diaphragm or 1)iston,\vhieh latter is secured rigidly thereto, conveniently by being threaded thereon. The upper end of the eylindric extension is closed by means of an integral end wall I)", located a short distance below or within the upper end of said extension, and in order to afford communication between the outer air and the space above or outside of the movable diaphragm or piston a passage 7)" is arranged to extend horizontally inward from the exterior of the cylinder, through the body of the end wall to the center thereof, at which point the passage is deflected downwardly, so as to open into the cylinder at the center thereof. Inasmuch as the space above the movable diaphragm or piston is thus placed in communication with the outer air, pressure of the gas generated within the generator acting upon the under surface of the movable diaphragm or piston will force the latter upwardly and raise the'escapement-rod.

In order to return the movable diaphragm or piston when permitted by the decrease of pressure within, a coiled expansion-spring H is interposed between the upper surface of said movable diaphragm or piston and the opposing surface of the end-closing end wall. The escapement-rod is prevented from rotating conveniently by means of a bearingbracket 9 which is arranged to depend from the lower surface of the end-closing end walls and is provided with a rectangular bearingaperture, through which the correspondinglyshaped upper end g of the escapement-rod is arranged to extend. The length of the escapement-rod is such and its extreme upper end is so formed as to act as a valve -stopper against a valve-seat formed at the inner end of the passage 6 when the said escapementrod is elevated to its uppermost position,

thereby positively limiting the furtherupward movement of the diaphragm and also preventing the escape of any gas which might leak past. the diaphragm owing to the interv nal pressure.

In order to rotate the carbid-receptacle when permitted by the escapement, a spiral spring I is arranged within the lower space 5 beneath the said receptacle, the innerend of said spring being suitably attached to the exterior of the spider f and its op posite or outer end secured to the inner wall of the casing. conveniently by means of a button stud 6 mounted thereon.

I have found in practice that the hot hydrous gas generated itself acts upon the car bid exposed thereto and causes itto slake.

In order, therefore, toprevent such action: upon the carbid 1n the receptacle 1n reserve,

a plate or cover f is arranged to overlie the carbid-receptacle closely and is supported in this position having its margm removably engaged with an annular groove 6 formed in the side wall of the outer casing. The said plate is centrally apertured to fit around the plate and is also provided with an aper ture f located vertically beneath the wick,

through which the liquid drips to the carbid..

Said plate or cover is obviously supported free from the carbid-receptacle, so as not tointerfere with the rotation of the latter.

The lower end of the jet-nozzle C is externally threaded and arranged to fit within the correspondingly-threaded upperend of the cylindric extension 3, above the end wall space inclosed by the base of the jet-nozzle. In order to filter the-gas, so as. to prevent.

water-vapor from passing to the burner, a

body c of porous materialsuch, for instance, as felt-is arranged within the lower part of the jet-nozzle, through which the gas is compelled to pass. The operation of the device constructed a above described is probably entirely obvious, but may be briefly described as follows: In order to fill the carbid-receptacle, the lower end cap is removed and the actuating-spring of the receptacle disconnected at its outer end,

whereupon the carbid-receptacle, the escapehaving been charged and returned to place,

the outer end of the spring is attached to its button and the carbid-receptacle rotated by hand somewhat more than acomplete revolu tion, so as to wind up said spring sufficiently to cause it to rotate the receptacle a complete revolution when permitted by the escape ment. The end-closing cap is now screwed on, the liquid-receptacle filled, and'the device is ready for operation. As soon as the cock is turned so as to admit liquid through the wick the liquid dropping through the driphole in the cover-plate to the carbid below will begin to generate gas, which will flow to the jet-nozzle and may be ignited. As soon as the generation of gas'has been fairly in,-

augurated the pressure within the generator will raise the movable diaphragm sufliciently to allow the upper pawl-arm. of the escapement-rod to release from its ratchet, and thus permit the carbid-receptacle to rotate a step. Inasmuch as the angular distance between the upper and lower pawl-arms is but slight, the

carbid-receptacle will* rotate but a short distance before the lower ratchet will. engage with the lower pawl-arm and prevent its further rotation. In this position the carbidreceptacle will remain until the carbid within the particularrece ptacle beneaththe drip-hole has been completely slaked and the generation of gas subsides, whereupon the coiled spring above the piston will return the escapement-rod, thus releasing its lower arm from the lower ratchet and permitting the carbid-receptacle to turn forward tothe next notch a distance suflicient to bring thesucceeding receptacle beneath the wick. Obviously this operation will be automatically repeated until the carbid-receptacle has performed a complete revolution or until the supply of liquid is shut off by means of the cock. Should the'generation of gas at any time become excessive, the supply of liquid may be perfectly regulatedby simplyturning the cock more or less, so as to retard the IIO flow to the wick. It is also to be noted in this connection that the rate of flow may be regulated approximately by adjustment of the wick within the tapered wick-tube, it being obvious that the tighter the wick is forced within said tube the more it will be compressed and the more the liquid will be retarded in its passage therethrough.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a modification, which is generally similar to that hereinbefore described, but differs therefrom in that the carbid-receptacle F has the form of a single compartment and remains stationary within the outer casing, .the escapement mechanism and the piston for actuating the latter being obviously omitted, as well also as the cover-plate and the cylindric extension B with which the jet-nozzle G is connected, being shortened so as to simply form a suitable seat for said nozzle. The carbid-receptacle is in this instance conveniently permanently attached to the loWer-end-closing cap B, the latter itself forming the bottom of said receptacle. In order to facilitate the breaking up and removal of the exhausted carbid, which tends to cake or become packed together in slaking, I have provided an extractor J, which consists of a shank j, arranged to extend vertically upward through the body of the carbid and provided at its lower end with a plurality of horizontal radially-extending arms which are adapted to rest upon the bottom of the carbid-receptacle beneath the carbid. At its upper end said shank is conveniently provided with a ring to form a suitable finger-hold, by means of which the extractor may be forcibly elevated out, thereby breaking up and extracting the body of carbid within the receptacle. The operation of this device will be understood without further description.

While I have herein described the mechan ism for bringing different portions of the carbid into operation successively as embodied in the form of a bicyclelamp, yet it will be obvious that this part of the invention is equally applicable to generators of other forms and designed for other purposessuch, for instance, as a generator designed to supply gas for domestic purposes. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the details of construction nor to the particular form of generator shown herein except as made the subject of specific claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-receptacle provided with a duct for delivering the liquid therefrom, means for controlling the flow of liquid through said duct, a plurality of carbid-receptacles, and means for moving said receptacles relatively to the duct whereby the outlet of the latter is caused to traverse the carbid-receptacles and said receptacles are brought successively into communication with said outlet.

2. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-receptacle provided with an outlet-passage, a carbid-rcceptacle provided with a plurality of compartments and automatic means controlled by reaction of the gas-producing ingredients, for rotating one of said receptacles relatively to the other whereby said different compartments of the carbid-receptacle are successivcl y brought into immediate communication with the liquid-outlet.

3. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-receptacle provided with an outlet-passage, a rotary carbid-receptacle provided with a plurality of compartments adapted to be successively brought into communication with the outletpassage and means for rotating said receptacle.

4. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquidrece1' taclc provided with an outlet-passage, a rotary carbid-receptacle provided with a plurality of compartments adapted to be successively brought into communication with the outletpassage and means for rotating said receptacle automatically, controlled by the pressure of gas generated.

5. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-receptacle provided with an outlet-duct, a generator with which said duct communicates, a carbid-rcceptacle provided with a plurality of compartments revolubly mounted within said generator, a spring arranged to rotate said carbidreceptacle, a gas-cylinder arranged to communicate with the gas-space of the generator, a piston working in said cylinder, an escapement arranged to control the movement of the carbid-receptacle and operative connections between said escapement and said piston whereby the carbid-receptacle will bcautomatically rotated by change of pressure acting upon said piston.

6. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-rcce 'itacle provided with an outlet-duct, a generator with the upper part of which said duct communicates, a circular carbid-receptacle provided with a plurality of compartments revolubly mounted within said generator so as to rotate upon a vertical axis located at one side of the outlet of said duct, a spring arranged to rotate said carbid-receptacle, a gas-cylinder arranged concentrically with the axis of rotation of the carbid-receptacle and communicating with the gas-space of the generator, a piston working in said cylinder, a spring arranged to act upon said piston in opposition to thegaspressure, an outlet-passage affording communication with the end of the cylinder opposite that subject to the internal gas-pressure, an escapement-rod extending axially through the carbid-receptacle and connectedwith said piston, two series of oppositely directed ratchet-notches upon said carbid-receptacle and ratchet-pawl arms upon said escapementrod adapted to cooperate with said ratchets to form an escapement.

7. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination with a carbid-receptacle provided with a plurality of open-topped car-- bid-compartments, of a cover-plate supported ad acent to the open parts of said carbid-receptacles and provided with an inlet-aperture adapted to admit liquid at one place only.

8. The combination with a generator for producing acetylene gas and the like, of an ina rotary carbid-holder comprising a plurality of normally closed separate carbid-chambers adapted to be successively brought into communication with the generating-chamber and a shifting mechanism automatically controlled by the gas generated for effecting the conflux of gas-producing materials.

10. In combination in an acetylene-gas lamp, the water-receptacle, a valve controlling .the flow of water therefrom and the carbidreceptacle below the water-receptacle and adapted to receive the water therefrom, said I carbid-receptacle comprising a rotary part containing compartments and adapted to be brought in succession below the water-discharge opening, the other compartments being entirely shut off therefrom, substantially as described.

11. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combinationof a chamber within which the gas is generated, a liquid-holder, a

carbid-holder, and means for bringingthe .contents of said carbid-holder into position for the reception of liquid to generate gas, said means consistingof an independent mo-- tor mechanism, a controller therefor, said controller being operated by the pressure of the gas generated.

12. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated, aliquid-receptacle, a rotary carbid-holder comprising a plurality of separate carbid-chambers adapted to .be successively brought into communication with the liquid-supply, and ashifting mechanism automatically controlled by the gas generated for rotating the carbid-holder.

13. The combination to form a portable generator for producing acetylene gas, of a liquid-holder, a carbid-holder, means for mechanically conveying one of said gas-producing elements to bring them" into generating contact, a spring-motor for actuating said means, and means controlled by the pressure of the gas generated for controlling said spring-motor.

14. In a generator for producingacetylene gas the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated, a liquid-receptacle, a carbid-holder consisting of a set of com partments adapted to be prechargedand to be successively brought into contact with the liquid-supply and means forshifting the carbid-holder.

15. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a liquid-receptacle provided with an outlet-passage, a carbidholder formed with im perforate carbid-holding walls and open at one point, and an escapement automatically controlled by the pressure of gas generated for moving one of i said parts relatively to the other whereby different portions of the carbid are successively subjected to the action of the liquid.

16. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated, aliquid-receptacle and a rotary carbid-holder formed with imperforate carbid-holding walls, said carbid-holder being open at one point and adapted by its rotation to bring successive portions of the carbid into communication with the liquid-supply.

-17. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated, a liquid-recepta- 'cle, arotary carbid-holder formed with walls adapted to hold slaked and unslaked carbid and'adapted to bring successive portions of the car bid into communication with the liquid- -supply, and a shifting mechanism automatically controlled by the gas generated for rotating the carbid-holder.

18. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated,aliquid-receptacle, a movable carbid-holder formed with walls adapted to hold slaked and unslaked carbid and adapted to bring successive portions of the carbid into communication with the liquid,and means automatically controlled by the gas generated for moving the carbid-holder.

v 19. In an acetylene-generator the combination of a liquidholder,a carbid-holder formed with imperforate walls adapted to hold slaked and unslaked carbid and open at oneside, and a motor mechanism automatically controlled by the pressure of the gas generated for moving the'carbid-holder, whereby difierentportions of the carbid are successively which one element is moved tothe other element to generate gas,whereby successive portions of carbid may be subjected to the action of the liquid.

21. In an acetylene-generator,the combination of a carbid-holder formed with imperforate carbid-holding walls, and a liquid-chamber said parts being arranged one above the other and the upper one being provided with a single discharge through which one element is moved by gravity to the other to generate gas, one of said parts being rotatable with respect to the other to cause the discharged element to enter the lower receptacle on different vertical planes whereby successive portions of the carbid maybe subjected to the action of the liquid.

22. In an acetylene-generator, the combination of a carbid-holder formed with imperforate carbid-retaining walls,and a liquid-chamher, said parts being provided with a single opening through which one element is moved to the other to generate gas, mechanism for rotating one of said parts, and means actuated by gas-pressure for controlling said mechanism whereby successive portions of the carbid will be subjected to the action of the liquid.

23. In a generator for producing acetylene gas, the combination of a chamber within which the gas is generated,a liquid-receptacle and a movable carbid-holder formed with imperforate carbid-holding walls, said carbidholder being open at one point and adapted by its movement to bring successive portions of the carbid into communication with the liquidsupply.

24. An acetylene-gas generator comprising two integral parts or sections detachably connected together one above the other, one of said parts constituting a carbid-hold er and the other a water-holder, a movable diaphragm in one of said parts, a dry gas-tight connection being formed between said diaphragm and the part containing it, said movable diaphragm being subject on one side to gas-pressure, a device acting on said diaphragm against gas-pressure, mechanism within the part containing the movable diaphragm and connected to and operated thereby for successively bringing carbid into conflux with water to generate gas in response to changes in gas-pressure.

25. An acetylene-gas generator comprising two integral parts or sections detachably connected together one above the other, one of Said parts constituting a water-holder and the other a carbid-holder, a movable diaphragm in the carbid-holder above the carbid, a dry gas-tight connection being formed between said movable diaphragm and the part containing it, said movable diaphragm being subject on its lower side to gas-pressure, mechanism connected to the movable diaphragm and operated thereby and within the carbid-holder for successively bringing carbid into conflux with water to generate gas in response to changes in gas-pressure.

26. In an acetylene-generator, the combination of a liquid-receptacle, a carbid-holder comprised of a plurality of independent compartments, and means for rotating one of said parts to bring the compartments in succession in communication with the liquid-receptacle and means actuated by the gas generated to control the rotating means.

27. In an acetylene-generator the combination of a liquid-receptacle, a carbid-holder comprised of a plurality of independentcompartments one of said parts being above the other and the upper part being provided with a discharge-opening through which one element is moved by gravity to the part below to generate gas, means for rotating one of said parts to bring the gas-generating elements together, and mechanism actuated by the gaspressure to control the rotating means, whereby the contents ot'the compartment will be in succession subjected to the action of the liquid.

28. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a liquid-holder, a series of carbidcomparl'ments adapted to contain charges of carbid, a motor for moving the carbid-holder and successively bringing together the charges of carbid and the liquid, and meansactuated by gas-pressure to control said motor.

29. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of aliquid-holder, a series of carbidcompartments adapted to contain charges of carbid, a motor for moving the carbid-eompartments horizontally and successively ln'inging together the charges of carbid and the liquid, and means controlled by gas-pressure to control said motor.

30. An acetylene-gas generatorcomprising a liquid-holder, an endless carbid-conveyor having a series of independent compartments for transferring successive portions of the carbid horizontally, means foroperating said conveyer, and means operated by the pressure of the gas generated for controlling said conveyer.

81. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a source of liquid-supply and a carbid-con veyer, means controlled by gas-pressure for moving the conveyer to transfer the carbid laterally to the liquid-supply.

32. In a generator for producing acetylene gas the combination of a liquid-holder, a carbid-conveyer to move the carbid laterally, an independent motor mechanism for moving said conveyer, and means operated by gaspressure for controlling the motor.

33. In a generator for producing acetylene gas the combination of a liquid-holder, an endless carbid-conveyer, one of said parts being above the other, means to permit the contents of the upper part to drop into the lower part, a motor connected to and adapted to move the conveyor horizontally, whereby successive portions of the carbid will be subjected to the action of the liquid, and means actuated by gas-pressure to control the motor.

gas the combination of a liquid-holder, a car' bid-conveyer, one of said parts being above the other, means to permit the contents of the upper part to drop into the lower part, a motor connected to and adapted to move the con-,

veyer horizontally whereby successive portions of the carbid will be subjected to the action of the liquid, and means actuated by gas-pressure to control the conveyer.

35. In a generator for producing acetylene gas the combination of a liq uid-holder, an endless carbid-holder having a'series of compartments adapted to receive carbid, one of said holders being above the other, means whereby the contents of the upper holder may pass into the lower holder at a determined point to generate gas, and an independent motor for moving the endless carbid-holder horizontally whereby the carbid in successive compartments of the carbid-holder will be subjected to the action of the liquid.

36. In a generator for producing acetylene gas the combination of a liquid-holder, an endless carbid-holder having a series of compartments adapted to receive carbid, one of said holders being above the other, means whereby the contents of the upper holder may pass into the lower holder at a determined point to generate gas, and an independent motor for moving the endless carbid-holder horizontally whereby the carbid in successive compartments'of'the carbid-holder will be subjected to the action of the liquid, and means actuated by gas-pressure for controlling the motor.

37. The combination to form agenerator for producing acetylene gas,of a liquid-holder, a carbid-holder, one of said holders being above the other, means for moving one of said parts to mechanically convey one of said gas-producing elements laterally to bring them into generating contact whereby successive portions of the carbid may be subjected to the action of the liquid.

38. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a liquid-receptacle, a carbid-holder provided with a plurality of independent compartments, and means for rotating one of said parts horizontally to bring the compartments in succession in communication with the liquid-receptacle'.

39. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a liquid-holder, a carbid-holder formed with a plurality of independent compartments, one of said parts being above the other and the upper part being provided with a discharge-opening through which one element is moved to the other to generate gas, and means for moving one of said parts horizontally to bring the gas-generating elements together.

q 40. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a liquid-receptacle, and a horizontally-rotatable carbid-holder formed with imperforate car- V bid-holding walls and adapted to bring successive portions of the carbid to the liquidsupply.

41. In an acetylene-gas generator the com bination of a liquid-holder formed of an outer casing and an inner horizontally-rotatable carbidreceptacle formed with independent carbid-compartments, said carbid-receptacle being smaller than the outer casing whereby a cooling-space is formed between the two casings, and a water-supply.

42. In an acetylene-gas generator the combination of a carbid-holder formed of an outer casing and an inner horizontally-rotatable carbid-receptacle formed with independent carbid-compartments, and a water-supply.

43. In a generator for producing acetylene gas the combination of a liquid-receptacle and a horizontal rotary carbid-holder formed with imperforate carbid-holding Walls and adapted by its rotation to bring successive portions of carbid into communication with the liquidsupply. 7

44. An acetylene-generator comprising,two integral parts or sections detachably connected together, one of said parts constituting a carbid-holder and the other a water-holder, a movable diaphragm in one of said parts, a dry gas-tight connection being formed between said diaphragm and the part containing it said diaphragm being subject on one side to the pressure of the gas generated and to the action of a device operating against said gas-pressure, and mechanism operatively connected to said movable diaphragm for successively bringing carbid into confluX with the liquid to generate gas.

45. An acetylene-gas generator comprising two integral parts or sections detachably connected together one above the other, one of said parts constituting a water-holder and the other a carbid-holder. a movable diaphragm in the carbid-holder above the carbid, a dry gas-tight connection being formed between said movable diaphragm and the part containing it, said movable diaphragm being subject on its lower side to gas-pressure, mechanism connected to the movable diaphragm and operated thereby and within the carbidholder for successively bringing carbid into conflux with water to generate gas in response to changes in gas-pressure, a burner carried by the carbid-holder above the movable diaphragm, a passage being provided to connect said burner with the gas-space below the diaphragm and a filter interposed in the path of the gas from said gas-space to the burner.

- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 19th day of September, A. D. 1896.

CHARLES WV. BECK.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. GRAvEs, WILLIS D. SHAFER. 

